Global Business Practicum - November 2018

BUSA90485 Global Business Practicum is an in-company intensively-taught subject where students experience the unique business practices and culture of an international company first-hand.

The Global Business Practicum is worth 12.5 credit points and is offered in January, July and November of each year.Students participating in the November intake of the program will travel to London or Hong Kong.

Please read on to find out what you could get out of participating in the Global Business Practicum.

Why take BUSA90485 Global Business Practicum

Studies show that having a well-developed range of transferrable skills is crucial for the success of individuals, businesses and societies. Often referred to as employability or ‘soft’ skills, these are the non-technical skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and self-management which are developed through exposure to experiences outside the classroom - like work integrated learning subjects, internships and on-the-job learning.

When these employability skills are combined with technical skills/qualifications and personal attributes, an individual becomes employable across a range of industries, increasing job prospects, becoming a more competitive job-seeker and being a more attractive potential hire.

So what does this have to do with the Global Business Practicum?

As well as being an impressive addition to any CV, the primary aim of the Global Business Practicum is to provide graduate students with opportunities to develop and enhance employability skills from application right through to the final assessment and beyond.

It is expected that 2/3 jobs will be soft skill intensive by 2030, so finding opportunities to develop these skills as early as possible is becoming increasingly important.

In the Global Business Practicums this is done by:

Working closely in a team;

Building resilience by being exposed to challenging and intensive working environments;

Communicating with a range of stakeholders;

Increasing global networks;

Using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve a real business problem;

Applying classroom theory to real world practice.

Don’t just take our word for it! Read about previous Business Practicum student experiences here.

London

London is a global business hub and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Being located at a mid-way point between the US and Asian Markets and time zones positions this dynamic city as a global leader in banking and financial services. London is home to 40% of the top 250 companies with headquarters in Europe.

Hong Kong

Known for its extensive tax, trade, and legal benefits, Hong Kong is a thriving Asian business hub. Hong Kong is the world’s most services-oriented economy; with the services sector accounting for more than 90% of GDP, as well as being the world second largest host and investor of foreign direct investment stock. The business environment in Hong Kong provides a rich learning experience for practicum students. Known as a melting pot of East and West cultures, Hong Kong provides a rich cultural experience in addition to its fast paced business environment.

Key dates

To take part in the Global Business Practicum, these are the key dates you need to be aware of:

November 2018

Applications Open

Monday 30 April 2018

Applications Close

Sunday 13 May 2018

Group Interviews

Thursday 31 May 2018

Offer acceptance and $500 deposit due date

Friday 22 June 2018

Introductory Briefing

Wednesday 1 August 2018

Pre-Departure Seminar

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 November 2018

In-country dates

Saturday 24 November - Saturday 8 December 2018

In-company dates

Monday 26 November - Friday 7 December 2018

Final presentation to company

On or prior to Friday 7 December 2018

Employability Reflective Workshop

Thursday 28 February 2019

Please note that these dates are compulsory and all students who are given an offer for the Global Business Practicum are expected to participate in all of these activities. If you know in advance that you won’t be able to commit to one or more of these dates, it's best that you don't apply.

Who should submit an application?

The below criteria should help you determine whether you would be a strong candidate for the Global Business Practicum:

Your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) is 65% or higher. Due to limited spaces, entry into the Global Business Practicum is competitive. The minimum average grade requirement for the Global Business Practicum is 65% and the Selection Committee considers the following when allocating places:

Academic Performance

Quality of CV

Interview performance

An overall match of skills, experience and interests to the available project

You have completed a minimum of:

200-point degree students: completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of application; or

150 point degree students: completion of a minimum of 50 points at time of practicum commencement if you have a business background (e.g. studied business subjects in an undergraduate degree or relevant work experience).

Note: All students enrolled in a 200-point degree must first have completed 50 points before applying, regardless of educational background.

You are only applying for one Business Practicum subject (Global or Melbourne) for the intake. Please only submit an application for one of the Business Practicum subjects per intake. Students who apply for both MBP and GBP during the same intake (e.g. the July Business Practicums) will not be considered for either subject.

You have checked that there is capacity within your study plan for an elective subject worth 12.5 points.

Please note: Students undertaking Master of Commerce (Finance) and the Master of Management (Accounting) 150pt program are generally ineligible to apply, due to limited elective options available in the course.

How much will it cost?

Costs & Payments

In addition to the standard University subject fee, there is an additional GBP fee:

Grants, Scholarships and Funding

Selected students enrolled in an FBE administered program who do not receive the Global Mobility grant may receive a Faculty Grant

Global Business Practicum Prize

The following prizes will be awarded to the most impressive November 2018 Global Business Practicum applicants:

1 x $1,500 prize for the best MBS student traveling to London1 x $1,500 prize for the best MBS student traveling to Hong Kong

Selection is based on academic average and interview performance. These prizes are available to MBS students only.

There is no separate application to be considered for a prize and selected students will be notified of their award at the same time as the offer for a place in the subject.

Information Sessions

Come along to the Global Business Practicum Information Session where you can meet the Work Integrated Learning Teaching Specialist, listen to previous Business Practicum students talk about their experiences and ask questions about the program.